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Thursday, January 7

getting it on with Mr Hook...

it's hard to believe that just two weeks has passed since i caved and went running to my yarn stash. i think that's what happens when you spend most days in your pyjamas, time passes in a different way.

today however i am dressed and trying to find my way out from under the 'cloud of sadness' that has engulfed me since my folks left.

last night i stayed up late finishing my latest collaboration with Mr Hook, i'm so proud of my achievements with him. i know perhaps one shouldn't blow one's own trumpet but i can't help it. to have made such items... items that i never would have dreamed possible a few years back due to a crocheting inability, makes me stand here before you and 'boast a little'.

so please forgive my boasting ways, just for today...

the granny circle squares i showed you on monday

have now become a little cushion.

a friend for my other cushion

over christmas i took Yvonne's pattern for the granny circle squares and tweaked it, making a garland for the lounge...

a new year needs a new garland i feel

and then there is the matter of a stool, a very faithful stool that has been good to me over the years despite being flat packed on arrival.

well this little stool began to make noises to me as i passed by, little sobs of despair.

on closer inspection it became apparent that my little stool was feeling most left out in the cold. for my little stool had noted Ingrid's wood & wool stools beside her, clothed in their glorious crocheted coats.

i said to my little stool,

"little stool do not worry, for i have mastered skills of crocheting way beyond my wildest dreams and i know i can help you"

with that thought and a bottle of cider, i proceeded to crochet a circle.

in my reckless abandonment, being two sheets to the wind and remembering my 'risk taking ways' for 2010, i continued going round and around. when at last i felt my circle was as good as it was going to get i stopped.

Dearest Tif. Finally I am having enough nerve to leave a comment on a blog. I am fairly new to the blogging world and am still trying to talk myself into starting one of my own. You are always an inspiration and such a character too. You make me smile and know that life is what ever you want to make it. Thank you for sharing.

what a gorgeous post with all your lovely pretties. i have a crochet inability so am ever so proud of you -- it's not evident to me that you ever had one.

i have been meaning to pop on over and let you know that i am participating in your wondrous challenge and for the past 7 days i have forgotten... until now. i'm also starting a little bartering "thing" for those sweet irresistible needs: paints, fabric, glue, yarn, etc. to assist.

Your little stool looks very grand now! I love the look of granny squares, it is one of my resolutions to learn to crochet, another one is to leave a comment on the lovely blogs that I visit often, so hi! I'm making a good start, hehe! Happy New year!

Hello its me again...have been admiring your lovely photos and noticed an old postcard of a place that I think is Clovelly in North Devon..somewhere I used sneek off to if I didnt want to go into college. (A few years ago now!) .as it was only a few miles from my home! If it isnt Clovelly its very similar!

Congratulations, Tif on your mastery of crocheting skills beyond your wildest dreams. Your cushions are quite perky and would seem to have the ability to soon lift your spirits.I am inspired by this alluring display of "crochetery" to attempt a similar New Year risk-taking adventure. For while I stitch and knit with wild abandon, I have yet to meet my own Mr Hook. Surely I could learn this beautiful craft and make happy some forlorn objects in my own home.Thank you, Tif, for a delightful blog.

Why? Why oh WHY can i not crochet granny squares in such a fabulous fashion? I have made three attempts and each attempt ends in tears (see photographs on blog for proof). You are indeed very talented and I am indeed rather envious.

I love your crochet squares - you make them so fast! The colours are delicious, and now you have two cushions of the extreme strokable kind! And your stool cover is just beautiful. How proud it must be!But your garland. *swoon* I cannot get enough of garlands recently, and now I see that I must have a granny squares one too :-)

I am picking something up from the ether. It has drifted a long long way. It is rather quiet. It is little stool. She says 'thankyou, thankyou, I love my new goat'. I think that must be 'coat'. I told you it was quiet. Though why she didn't tell you herself is anyone's guess. She's only a few metres away whereas I'm four thousand miles. The best things though, are not always the most efficient.

What lovely creations. I am particularly inspired by your stool. I have a couple of unkept and deteriorating kitchen chairs that could do with a coat of crochet...

And there's no need to apologise about boasting. It's good to feel proud about your creations. I too am rather proud of what I have achieved on the crochet front in a short amount of time and it feels great.

Tif they all look so beautiful! I love the colours you use and you have really inspired me to work on my granny circle squares. The little cushions are just delightful! Have a wonderful crafty day.Sophie x

Hello! I wanted to say how happy i was to stubble onto you over at flickr and now here. what a happy and beautiful space. also letting you know i have joined your 365 day challenge today (since i bought a shirt at old navy yesterday:) i really am done now and can't wait for the next temtation and plow right through it or to the thrift store anyways. thank you for the inspriation and i will be back to visit often!

I'm just learning to crotchet and can only hope that at some point in the future I can accomplish something half as good as your wonderful makes.Love the cushions and stool cover but the garland is what has really got me.I will learn, I will, I will..........

Is there crochet hope for me yet? Although I can do the crochet stitch, I am still not comfortable with the hook!It can't keep the correct tension either! Perhaps I should take up cider drinking and my crochet will improve!I'll keep you informed!The shower capped stool is adorable, as is the garland!Rachel x

Oh most lovely post, such beautiful work avec Mr. Hook and a wee cider as well. I have been only reading your blog for a few weeks and find it most delightful...thank you. Already being a knitting kind of gal and presently taking up sewing (Santa did treat me kindly this year with a new sewing machine), I have been feeling the pull of Mr. Hook himself, and would like to ask what you might think the best way to learn to crochet would be? (book?)I do so enjoy your blog & would most appreciate your thoughts on this.Still Lily

Your new creations are beautiful! I was so enamored with the crocheted circles you showed around New Years and its wonderful to now see them used. I need to relearn how to crochet. I worked on learning fall 2008 but never finished anything past about 30 granny squares (1 color.) I'd love to do the ones with multiple colors. Off to look up instructions now. Thanks for the inspiration.

Do you ever see something so pretty it makes your crafty little heart feel like it's soaring? That's how I feel about your post today! I have to learn how to crochet granny squares! And I lurv your little pots of knitting needles.

Oh. My. Goodness. I just gasped out loud seeing your lovely granny square cushions and the stool! Oh,the stool! Really wonderful. The granny square is still a mystery for me, but you have given me renewed hope. (and hey, let's go grab a coffee or something sometime!) Happy New Year!

thank you my dearest readers for being such 'crocheting lovelies of the loveliest kind'...as i sit tonight with Mr Hook beside me and his brother in my hand, i feel ready to take on Chevron in all it's glory. and it is you that spur me on :)

Just to say I am enjoying your Challenge and I was very strong and did not hit the sales today! Wrote about your wonderful challenge in my blog here: http://wordsonwood.blogspot.com/2010/01/challenge-of-utmost-kind.htmlThank you for being SOOOOO inspiring!

Dear TifOh it's always hard when lovely family and friends have visited and then go away again, but for you the distance must make it even harder. I do feel for you! But you seem to have found some solace with Mr Hook and such delightful creations you have made too. Keep smiling, hooking and enjoying it all.D x

you are such a fantastic crohcettereinne:) great showercap for the little sad stool ;))ps: my word verification is decor, and you have handmade the most perfect, pretty decor!!greetings from a freezing cold Blueberrypie

it's so cute ... I'm getting ready to do a crochet blanket in granny squares, it's the Babette blanket from Interweave, you can see it on Ravelry! love your home, thanks for sharing it and all your creativity!

do you maybe have a good way to explain the "joining" of the circles? i read yvonne's post on the pattern but if you know a good way of explaining besides her lovely pictures could you please note? p.s. your stool is LOVELY sooo cute... i bet he feels warm snuggly & at home now! thanks for this darling post! =)

Tif, I think I DREAMED of your stool with its showercap last night - that's quite worrying, really. But at least it shows I remembered my quick browse through your post...

Now I have time I thought I'd pop back and let you know about the No Frills Magazine Swap I've organised, particularly for those of us who can't buy new mags because we're doing your Challenge. I think it will be a fun way of getting some new browsing material as well as getting to know other bloggers. Pop over and have a look if you have time!

floss, a fabby idea indeed... i'm sure there are many in need of a magazine or two. good luck with your no frill swapping :)

cal, i'll give it a go but it won't be for a while... if you can get the circle done as yvonne shows then it's a matter of then just doing a granny square pattern around the circle once. i myself am finding youtube to be a wonder indeed when it comes to explainations & tutorials of the crocheting kind. hope that helps for now :)

I adore the garland and the pillow and the little stool bath cap... I love reading your blog, it always inspires me to pick up my little hooks and get going... though I don't have time to all that often. sadly.

Hmm, I also am curious what this challenge is and the link in the top left corner isn't working...

hi jesse lu... the link to details is on the right hand side. it appears to work for me. you can find out more details if you look under my posts herehttp://dottieangel.blogspot.com/search/label/a%20challenge%20of%20the%20utmost%20kindi'll be doing an update next week... hope that helps

I dread those post-family days. I think I'm finally coming out of my post-holiday blues after spending Christmas in Michigan with my family (and we came back Dec. 28). Sometimes it takes a while to shake those blues... You've found a pretty distraction, anyway! I love the stool cover. As well as the cushions and garland--they're all great colors. :)

I'm the 70th person to comment on this post, think that shows how hugely gorgeous and impressive your crocheted goodies are! I've just learned how to crochet a granny square and my plans to make a blanket may be on hold now I've seen crochet bunting!

Hi Dottie! Can you tell us the brand and weight of the yarn used in the garland ? I received a crochet kit from Anthropologie...a basket from "tricot"scraps ( from Sweden) It is so cute and chic and modern. I will send you a pic.

the weight is worsted weight and if you are looking for a pattern wonderlust, i put a link to Yvonne in there and she has one in her blog archives. the other thing is to take a look on raverly.but Yvonne is where i found the pattern. hope that helps you :)

"if i go to sleep at nightknowing i have visited my imagination, however fleeting it may have been, then i know i have spent my day wisely"~ Tif

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all ramblings & pictures are copyrighted to moi & dottie angel ltd. if you wish to feature or pin my pictures then please be considerate & link them back to my blog. thanking you most kindly for being the bees knees & taking time to understand the importance of this matter